A golf society for residents and friends at Condado de Alhama

Archive for Sep, 2013

Just got back from an excellent evening celebration at the club house where Dave Lloyd of the Golf Society Committee celebrated his victory in the 2nd Division of the IRM/Murcia Golf Federation competition.

The competition was played over 2 days, the first at Hacienda Riquelme Golf course and the 2nd day at our very own Condado de Alhama course. Dave lead the field after the 1st days play and completed todays round in 83 shots which on aggregate gave him a 9 shot lead over the 2nd placed player.

The overall winner, with the lowest scratch score was the Junior Division winner Connor Stewart (whose parents run Country Kitchens at El Pereton and formally provided the excellent food at Camposol golf club). Well done Connor!
After the presentations we were treated to free drinks and an array of delicious tempting tapas on the terrace of which our favourite had to be dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped with crispy bacon, delicious.

This week we had 56 entries for the monthly Apollo Air trophy. As usual, sunshine was the order of the day, however progress was very slow, so I would remind our members to look at the rules of etiquette which were posted this week. These are also displayed on the notice boards in the clubhouse and the Clover bar.

The greenkeepers have been working hard this week replacing the sand in the remaining bunkers which were damaged by the storm. We now have a significant amount of water in the lakes on 11 and 18, with some birds already returning to the lake on 11. We now also have red lines painted around the lakes, connecting the hazard marker posts so you know if you are in the hazard or not.

Apollo Air winner

Willie Laing………….43pts

1st division

1st Chris King……………..41pts

2nd Stephen Pilley……….39pts

3rd Steve Locker…………..37pts

2nd division

1st Jan Holdhus……………37pts

2nd Robin Wilson………….36pts

3rd Adrian Kernaghan…..35pts

Ladies

1st Fran Hobson………….39pts

A special well done to Chris King, who again got pipped for the Apollo Air trophy with his 41pts just falling short. But off his handicap of 3.7 a par round of 72 was one of the best gross scores posted in a society event since we started.

Whilst you are in the Clover, have a look at our trophy display. These have been reorganised to show them off to better effect. The ten major trophies are on the bottom 2 shelves with a framed photograph of the winner/winners. On the top shelf are all the other trophies we have played for over the last year. Neil has kindly given us all the space behind the cocktail bar, and intends improving the lighting to emphasise the display. Just 2 majors left to play for this year – the Viking Cup has been added as it is one of the most popular competitions, with a maximum of 88 players already signed up for this years event (October 22nd). On the Friday of the same week it is the Seniors trophy for all those 55 or over.

Next week is the Barry Answer trophy (individual stableford, with a buffet at night at the Condado Club, and we will have the irrepressible Woody to entertain us again. Players and family can get tickets for the party from Kevin.

It is the Benidorm trip a week on Monday, and due to a couple of cancellations we have 2 rooms spare at the Perla hotel for 2 nights (7th – 9th October). Each twin room cost 135 euros half board, but these are now available for only 70 euros (2 persons). If you are interested ring Graham on 0034 639613100. There is still room for up to 3 golfers on the Monday at Villaitana (Benidorm) at 48 euros walking or 63 euros with buggy. But you don’t have to be a golfer – just ring for a cheap holiday!

In 2 weeks (October 11th) we are going to Aguilon golf for their Ryder Cup qualifier at only 25 euros with buggy. And if you play in the next qualifier on Monday the 21st it is only 15 euros for your 2nd round. You don’t have to play in the cup match if you don’t want, just go down for a cheap round at an interesting and hospitable course. We already have about 40 players for the 2 days. Those who don’t want to go can still play Condado at society rates on the 11th and 21st.

A gents gold ring was found outside the clubhouse on Friday. It must have belonged to one of our players as it was amongst us before we left. Please contact bookings@cdagolf.com if you think it is yours.

We have players of all standards and abilities play with the society, and sometimes they are not aware of their responsibilities on the golf course. Here is a reminder of the golfing etiquette that we all should follow.

1. DON’T BE THE SLOWEST PLAYER

Evaluate your pace of play honestly: if you are consistently the slowest player in your group, you are a slow player. Be prepared to play when it is your turn on the tee and on the green. Aim to keep just behind the match in front – not just ahead of the match behind.

2. KEEP YOUR TEMPER UNDER CONTROL

Throwing clubs, sulking and abusive language makes everyone uneasy. We all have our moments of frustration that are part of the challenge of the game.

3. RESPECT OTHER PEOPLES TIME

5 Hour rounds are unacceptable, there are no exceptions.

4. REPAIR THE GROUND YOU PLAY ON

Use your pitch mark repairer. As for divots, repair them and push them down with your feet. Rake bunkers like you mean it, and leave them as you would wish to find them.

5. BE A SILENT PARTNER

Please stand still from the time a player sets himself, until the ball has left the club. Be mindful that what you are doing may distract your partner. Know where to stand and where to park your buggy.

6. ALWAYS LOOK YOUR BEST

Your appearance speaks volumes about you as a person and the golf society you are playing with. The neatly appointed golfer, like a business man or someone heading for church gives the impression that the golf course and the people there are special.

7. TURN OFF YOUR MOBILE PHONE

Hearing another players phone ring in the middle of your swing is very annoying. Make sure it is turned off before you go to the first tee.

8. LEND A HAND WHEN YOU CAN

Its easy to help out your fellow players if you pay attention. One obvious way is watching errant shots so they don’t turn into lost balls. Pick up that extra club left on the fringe, or the head cover dropped next to the tee, and return it to its owner. And if you see a provisional ball that needs picking up, don’t just walk by.

9. LEARN THE LITTLE THINGS

There are a hundred little bits of etiquette I haven’t mentioned, like laying the flagstick down carefully, tamping down spike marks when you’re walking off a green, letting faster groups through, and so on.

I have received an update about lakes and bunkers from Placido Zarco (head of course maintenance for all IRM courses). I questioned why water was being pumped out of lake at hole 4 on Friday. The answer was as follows:

The reason why the generator is working at lake 4 is because water is being pumped from lakes 4/5 to the lake at 11. The water movement does not allow water to be moved from any other place because the pipe system is common to all lakes, so movement can only be made in one direction. This takes time, and it is impossible to move all the water to one place in one day. Once this is done water will be moved from lake 13 to 11.

Regarding repairs to the bunkers, due to the rainstorm a claim must be put in to the insurance company. IRM still have not received compensation for the rains of September 2012, but have still repaired the course which has impacted on their budget. There are still 2 bunkers to repair at the moment sufficient sand is not available, although it is expected this week.

Thanks Placido for that, which should stop speculation about where the water is going. After the rains I did suggest moving water from 13 to 11, and it looks like this is now happening. In my opinion 2 full lakes and 3 empty ones are better than all of them being partially filled. Lets hope that wildlife will return when we have 2 full lakes.

The course is in fantastic condition now, and the greens are again top class. The staff did a magnificent job in getting the course back in play in only 2 days, so we have to expect the more difficult repairs to take time.

Another warm day, although the intense heat of summer seems to have passed. Most of the matches had finished before the usual strong breeze got up, so high scores were the order of the day. 48 players took part which is very good for this time of year. Water seems to have disappeared from the lower lakes which seems a little strange as it was only 2 weeks ago since they were half full, however the greens were excellent and I don’t think they have ever recovered from maintenance so quickly.

1st…………………………..48pts

Lee Hobson & Fran Hobson

2nd…………………………47pts (on countback)

Brian Higgins & Rob Busby

3rd…………………………47pts

Neil Simpson & Les Hurren

Next week is the September Apollo Air individual stableford

Aguilon golf have offered a great deal for their Ryder cup qualification competitions. The best 28 scores from 3 qualifying days will form the European team to take on the spanish team. We will send quite a few players on Friday October 11th and Monday October 21st. For the first entry (either day) the price is 25 euros with buggy. If you play twice, the price for the 2nd round will be 15 euros with buggy. As a result of this the Apollo Air competition scheduled for October 11th will now be moved to Friday October 25th.

The annual match between our Spanish friends and a U.K. ex-pats team will take place at Aguilon Golf over the weekend of 9th and 10th November

There are 28 Qualifing places available to all our societies for the team.

We will be playing 3 qualifying competitions at Aguilon of a stableford format with the top 28 scores being selected for the team,it will be full handicap plus the slope allowance, players can opt to play in 1,2 or all 3 qualifiers with their highest score counting

The dates for qualifing rounds are

Friday 27th September, tee time 9am to 11am

Friday 11th October, tee time 10am to 12noon

Monday 21st October, teetime 10am to 12 noon

The cost will be for Non Aguilon Members will be 25 euros including buggy, for their first round and 15 euros including buggy if they play in two or three rounds, Aguilon members will pay their normal green fees

If you wish to take part please contact me by email or telephone on 950619273 or 634641199 to arrange tee times.

For all players they MUST return a card that marked “RYDER QUALIFIER” is duly signed by the player and marker, it must show the players full name and Exact handicap and then handed in to the caddymaster.

After each qualifier I will endeavour to compile a list of the top scores and email all on my contact list.

Regards

Les Raufer Perhaps if any of our members are interested contact bookings@cdagolf.com

Please be aware that proof of an active handicap is required when joining or renewing membership with the society. If no proof of handicap can be shown then the member will not be eligible to win a major competition until three cards have been returned.
See Handicapping Policy
For further info on CONGU/EGA conversion see here